Stachybotrys is the scientific name
of black mold. It is a greenish black fungal growth
generally found outdoors. In can also grow on damp and
water damaged walls, floors, furniture and organic products.
Toxic molds such as
Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and
Black Mold can cause indoor air quality problems leading
to allergies and sickness. Many times these problems
are a result of airborne mold spores and mycotoxins.
Toxic mold and black mold have become a huge problem
for homeowners and insurance companies. Medical problems
caused by mold and other environmental hazards in the
home are far-reaching. They range from respiratory ailments
- stuffy nose, itchy throat, wheezing, shortness of
breath - to more unusual complaints of ear infection,
asthma, and bronchitis. Such subtle symptoms as fatigue,
headaches, inattentiveness, and dermatitis are possible
reactions to an unhealthy environment.
If you're a young adult who does not
smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs, and if you eat
nutritionally, get enough sunlight, and exercise daily,
the toxins at home may not affect you. But if you are
a little child, a pregnant woman, or over 60, or spend
more than 12 hours a day at home, a few toxins in the
home can change your life. People suffering from bronchitis,
allergies, or heart problems are affected, too. A constant
diet of environmental toxins puts physical stress on
the human body. Add to this the emotional stress of
hassles on the job, constant noise, and bad relationships,
and you've got a human machine that is ripe for ill
health. Such a condition stretches the limits of human
adaptability. The most dangerous are chronic delayed
reactions. These result from almost daily exposure building
up over time and can range from neurological damage
to the risk of cancer from exposure to certain toxins
in the air and water. Smoking, of course, hastens the
ill effects.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of mold exposure. As a rule,
the extent of symptoms depends on the sensitivity of
the exposed person. Allergic reactions are the most
common and typically include: chronic clogged throat;
wheezing and difficulty breathing; nasal and sinus congestion;
burning, watery, reddened eyes or blurry vision; sore
throat; dry cough; nose and throat irritation; shortness
of breath; nausea; and skin irritation. Other less common
effects are: nervous system problems (headaches, memory
loss, moodiness); aches and pains; and fever. If you
have any of these symptoms, and they are reduced or
completely gone when you leave the suspect area, chances
are you have been exposed to some sort of allergen,
quite possibly mold.
